LIFE AT THE LOCKE … Issue #30 2017-2018
April 8, 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
We have another 5 days of learning (2 weeks in a row!) this week as we head toward vacation. Of course, we’ll be busy. Let’s see what’s happening …
Monday, April 9th is an “A” day. Please plan accordingly for the week.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LockeMiddle
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Learning is not attained by chance. — Abigail Adams
MCAS TESTING IS HERE!
MCAS testing begins tomorrow, Monday April 9th. All tests will be given on computers as we have done in the past few years. Prior to testing, all students will be given practice tests and a tutorial on how to use the technology. Please see the attached schedule for all of the testing dates.Also see attached parent letter for more information.
REPORT CARDS
Report Cards were published on to the Aspen portal on Wednesday, March 28th. It can be seen on your home screen under “published reports”. We will not be sending home a paper copy of the report card. We ask that you still sign the report card envelope for us to verify that you have seen the report card. If you do not have a log-in, please email ksharkey@billericak12.com and we will be able to provide this information to you as soon as possible. All reports are published on the portal.
AFTER SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY
Please see attached flyer for information regarding a field hockey program being offered this spring by Mrs. McCafferty and Mrs. Capadanno.
AFTER SCHOOL THIS WEEK
HW Club and late buses will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
ROBOTICS NEWS (updated)
On March 10th, our own Locke Monsters Robotics Team competed in the Southern New England VEX Robotics Regional Championship in Framingham, MA. All 3 of our robots, 8025A, 8025B, and 8025C made it all the way to the semi-finals, which alone was quite a feat! All 3 were strong competitors, even facing off against each other with 8025A and 8025C in one alliance pitted against 8025B in an opposing alliance! Locke Monsters Team 8025B and their 2 alliance partners were the Tournament Champion. This win at the Regionals means that Team 8025B qualifies to participate in the VEX World Robotics Championship in Louisville, Kentucky April 25th-28th, 2018! At the World Championship, the Locke Monsters Robotics team will represent Billerica, Massachusetts in a field of teams from over 31 countries. The Locke Monsters Team is proud to represent Billerica at this event!
This opportunity comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $12,000! Your support has made all the difference in getting this far. We now ask that you consider helping the team get to Kentucky for the finals. There are several ways that you can help!
1. Online donations are a safe and easy way to support the Locke Monsters from the comfort of your home. Just use the link below for more detailed information and easy donating!
2. Donations may be sent to the school at any time. Checks should be made payable to Locke Middle School with Locke Monsters Robotics in the memo line. We would be happy to provide receipts upon request.
3. Enjoy a fun day at MVP (Merrimack Valley Pavilion) in Tewksbury on Thursday, April 19th from 12PM-8PM. MVP will donate 20% of all proceeds during this time to lock monsters robotics with presentation of a flyer or simply mentioning that you would like to support Locke Monsters Robotics. The flyer will be attached to next week's newsletter and posted on the Locke PTO Facebook page.
4. Come see us as we demonstrate one of our robots, which will be equipped to accept donations,Saturday, April 14th from 9AM-12:30 PM in front of Kessler's Karate Center at the Shops at Billerica, and Saturday, April 21st from 10AM-3PM in front of O'Connor Hardware in Billerica Center.
You can follow us on Facebook at Locke PTO and share our posts, and also follow us on twitter at @Locke Robotics and retweet our tweets!
We can't wait to represent Billerica and appreciate all your support!
YEARBOOK SALES
Yearbook orders being collected by Mrs. Milner now through May 31st. $20 cash or check (made out to Locke middle school) enclosed in an envelope or ziploc labeled with student’s name.
VETERAN PACKS FOR HOPE
We are collecting various items for our veterans. Please see the attached flyer for what is needed. Please turn donations into the main office. Thank you for your help!
MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
Last Week’s Answer: 440 seconds.
Make way for Ducklings
A mother duck has 5 ducklings. The average weight of the 5 ducklings is 6 ounces. If the average weight of three of the ducklings is 5.25 ounces, what is the average weight, in ounces, of the other 2 ducklings? Express your answer as a decimal to the nearest thousandth.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
The 2018 summer enrichment program will be held at the Locke. Please see the attached flyer and the link below:
PTO CORNER
Spring Cleaning... While separating items you no longer need, please consider setting them aside for our upcoming fundraiser. We are working on setting up a yard sale and setting a date to have a Fill a Truck fundraiser through Savers for which the Locke PTO would receive 20 cents per pound for soft goods such as clothing, coats, shoes, linens, towels, etc. Hard goods such as furniture, appliances, electronics, etc. are also welcome. Further details including the date for this event will be made available in the next newsletter and on the Locke PTO page.
Auto Repairs...Don't forget that Marshall's Auto Body will donate $40 to the PTO for every vehicle they repair. Simply mention that you would like to support the Locke PTO and please feel free to spread the word to friends and family. Thank you.
Stress-Free Fundraiser... Traditional fundraisers not your thing? Our Alternative/ Stress-Free Fundraiser runs throughout the school year. Donations can be sent in at any time and are sincerely appreciated. 100% of all donations go to the Locke PTO to directly benefit the students and staff at the Locke. Checks should be made payable to Locke PTO in an envelope marked Locke PTO. Forms are helpful but not mandatory if Stress-Free Fundraiser is on the memo line of your check.
Positions/ Volunteer Opportunities: Even with all the snow days we've had, the end of this school year will indeed be coming soon! We really need a volunteer(s) to "shadow" our current chair people for the following position to take over at the end of the 2017-2018 school year:
Co-Vice President (fundraising). The Locke PTO cannot fund any of the special programs, scholarships, teacher requests, transportation for trips, or Field Day without fundraising. Please let us know if you are willing to help!
Box Tops for Education: Please save and send us your Box Tops from Education. Each box top you are willing to clip from a Box or other container from your grocery store purchase and send into the school earns the Locke PT0 10 cents toward supplies, events, and programs for the children. Please make sure that the expiration dates remain intact so that we can receive credit. Box tops should be turned in in either an envelope or Ziploc bag clearly labeled with your child's name and homeroom number. Thank you!
Upcoming PTO Meetings: (All Mondays) May 14th, June 4th
Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have atbillericalockepto@gmail.com or by calling Faith Stevens at 978-667-6676 or 978-314-3389. Thank you!
Don't forget to like and follow Locke PTO on Facebook!
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
- April 9th, 10th – MCAS Grade 8 ELA Sessions 1,2
- April 11th, 12th – MCAS Grade 7 ELA Sessions 1,2
- April 13th – Full Day
- April 16-20 – April Vacation
- April 24th – 7th grade presentation, author of “Refugee”
- April 25th, 26th – MCAS ELA Grade 6
- April 27th – 8th grade presentation, Museum of Science
- April 27th- May 4th – MCAS ELA Make-ups
ATTACHMENTS: